The three tool solution, what you carry and why.

I was reading @redneckron's post about what everyone likes about the knives they own. And while I like knives. I'm not a collector so my knives are more driven by purpose than pleasure.

What are your three if you crash landed somewhere and could never go home? What not-so-obvious roles do they fill? And why are they better than what you used to believe was the best? How has your systems evolved with you as a bushcraft practitioner?

For years I chased the "Perfect Knife" as time and training kicked in I realized it is "The Indian and not The Arrow"
Now I try to cross train with anything and everything. Knives, axes, shovels, Machete's and anything else with an edge.
Take away Mors trusted Mora and give him a Kukuri and he will be just fine.
Take away Jeff Randall's Machete and give him a Swiss Army and he will still get the job done.
This is what I aspire to be...........One Mind any Tool.
Having said that.
1. 5" Full tang 1095 Knife in a "Quality Sheath"
2. 10" Parang in Quality Sheath.
3. Leatherman Wave in a quality pouch.
Knives are talked about in detail but a quality Sheath is so important to make a system complete.
Edit to add: I left out a Saw as the OP stated Knives............

I could probably switch the saw with a Leatherman multitool since I have the axe and the multitools are so useful.

I use to go back and forth with axes. Liking them and hating them. They are useful but dangerous. Versatile but take a lot of effort to use. The only real reason I'd need one is if I was building something for fun. A saw can get me all the firewood I need. But on the other hand I've been in the woods fishing and lost or forgotten my knife somewhere and an axe could have come in handy. That's happened more times than I'd like to admit and part of the reason I always try to carry 2 knives when I'm in the woods. A folder and a fellet knife.

Good idea for a thread. I tend to stick to utilitarian styles for the reason @THRsucks mentioned. While some knives are things of absolute beauty, I'd rather have using knives. It's more fun when you get to play with them, and not worry so much about wear.

So, from what I have, my three would be:
1. Leatherman Wave. I mean, it's a Wave. The only tool on it I don't use fairly regularly is the wire stripper.
2. Scandi Trekker. A little bigger and beefier than the blades on the Wave, small and nimble enough for detailed tasks. Stout enough for kindling splitting of need be. Handle is all day comfortable.
3. Armageddon. Barring another chopper/splitter like an axe or hatchet, the thing is a beast. Food prep is suprisingly easy. Once you figure out where the sweet spots are and adapt to the length it's a good carver.

If not only talking about knives, the trio would be my BOB, my Dustrude Quick Buck saw, and my Council Tool Michigan Classic double bit.

In the case of the crash landed scenario:
Leatherman Wingman
Mora Survival Orange
My modded cane knife
Why? The Wingman for the tools, the Mora because I like it and my cane knife because I can complete many tasks with it.

For a chopper I like the kukri for its versatility. There are many design choices but a sirupate around 22oz is a good choice being heavy enough to chop with but light enough that it can be used as a machete, though I wouldn't want to swing it for a long period of time.

If I had to be banished to the wilderness for the rest of my days, I'd like to pick:

A stainless Mora, preferably a Kansbol or 2000.
A 28" long handled 2.5-3lb axe
A Silky Katanaboy (is that the giant one?)

The stainless is for longevity. A carbon knife may rust if I'm out there for 15 more years. The axe is for building, you'll want a structure or two to base yourself out of. The saw is for ease of cutting wood. You could easily just do the axe and grab a pot, but that's not your question. Actually, I think your question is what three knives now that I look back at it, so I'd have to change that a bit to:

Same here, except I add a 5th in a backup fixed blade knife. Because Murphy, and his law.

So crash landed and stuck forever? Depends on where. If in my region, similar trees and such, I'd want a small boys axe, a bow saw (or blade and make the bow handle myself), and a 5" or so fixed bladed knife- not to exceed 6 ish inches. If I could have one more tool, it'd be a fully functioned MT, such as LM supertool, Wave, etc.

Do note however, I do not actually own, carry or use the above mentioned "package of tools". Since this is purely hypothetical.. I see no harm.

hatchet - 10" & 4" knife - and multitool......prob get rid of the big knife to make 3.......and keep the big knife if my only choice -- big knife is S7 and little is 52100 ...multi is leatherman charge

A mora and a multitool for sure. If im limited to knives and 3. The third would be somthing big and solid for chopping wood. I currently have a bahco (basically a mora) a gerber splice and a pocket folder. Hatchet and holding saw.
Cheers Jim

On the last trip I actually ended up not using the hatchet at all. I wish I'd left it at home for that trip.

I've found that if I have a ax or hatchet I have no real need for a fixed blade. Generally speaking I have no need for a fixed blade. When doing more camping than hiking I like an ax of some kind. It's more useful for processing wood, negates the need for a larger saw, and helps complete camp crafts faster such as making a cutting board, or roughing out a spoon. It's definitely made me rethink what I actually need tool wise.

Not planning on crashing into the Northern Maine woods anytime soon but if I did I'd want the same Holy Trinity that I use there anyway, My CS Trail H
awk, Kabar Navy MK1 and my EDC SAK Hiker that's more than enough to handle all fire fuel, shelter building, game processing and general round the camp needs. The hatchet is seldom if ever used, I carry it more for gathering Chaga when I find it, The Mk1 Navy is mainly a backup for my SAK which does 98% of anything I would need a sharps for in the woods anyway.

Edit: Always thinking too much... If this was actually a 'crash landing' scenario, obviously I would not be carrying any of these items. I would be stuck with whatever debris I could scavenge from from the craft which could be:

Im gonna come at this sideways a fixed blade knife med size, folding saw and med size axe judging by skill set almost any rock works as a hammer. By using a given set of tools you can make or create all the tools you need to do what you need to do there are sum variables like,is this a 6 month thing or forever does the place have 4 seasons what kind of resources does it have determines the tools or kit you need.

Like some of you eluded to (i was purposely vague in my 3 tools) just to see what all of you might come up with. Some great answers, it is really interesting how allot of us tackle things a little differently in selection, the most common tho by and large has been an Axe, full size saw, and a multi tool, typically swiss army, or leatherman. i expected allot more people to mention a tomahawk or a crash axe, and no one has so far...interesting!

Nice to see so many likes for the Leatherman Wave . I carry my wave everyday, everywhere.

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The wave gets a ton of love, probably one of the best if not the best knife leatherman has produced. i like the super tool for its massive locks and buttons for gloved use and safety, and replacment wire cutter blades, its a good bit larger and heavier than a wave, but the file, saw, and knife blades are all larger too which improves using it for me.

Like some of you eluded to (i was purposely vague in my 3 tools) just to see what all of you might come up with. Some great answers, it is really interesting how allot of us tackle things a little differently in selection, the most common tho by and large has been an Axe, full size saw, and a multi tool, typically swiss army, or leatherman. i expected allot more people to mention a tomahawk or a crash axe, and no one has so far...interesting!

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As you would suspect each individual's choice pick is most probably geared to their AO as mine since in the Maine woods there's no need of axes, bow saws or HD chopping knives unless your building a log cabin or 4th of July bonfire since there is a proliferation of dead standing or blow down trees, large/small limbs, twigs ect. for shelter building, warmth and cooking fires that can be leveraged snapped to length if needed with no need to split. I still have my big heavy 1972 original Leatherman which basically is my vehicle's tool kit, anything mechanically needed in the woods for me would be just during hunting season if I had a lose screw or two on my fire arm or fishing reels which could be easily taken care of with my SAK Hiker.

I would take:
1 A Council Tool 19" Pack Axe for felling small trees, chopping wood, Hammering stakes.
2 A Kephart style Knife with a 4" Carbon Steel blade for skinning game, carving wood and cutting food. This can also be used for creating sparks for fire making.
3 Leatherman Super Tool for everything else!

Instead of all that can I just bring a hammer, anvil and some coal so I can make everything I need!

On the last trip I actually ended up not using the hatchet at all. I wish I'd left it at home for that trip.

I've found that if I have a ax or hatchet I have no real need for a fixed blade. Generally speaking I have no need for a fixed blade. When doing more camping than hiking I like an ax of some kind. It's more useful for processing wood, negates the need for a larger saw, and helps complete camp crafts faster such as making a cutting board, or roughing out a spoon. It's definitely made me rethink what I actually need tool wise.

my buck 110, WCF bushcrafter and my WCF hatchet. although i'd have to say my alox Pioneer X, those scissors get used more than anything else around the house and I'm tempted to replace the 110 with it this next trip in 2 weeks... but that's like leaving my dog at home, that 110 has been everywhere with me.

I don't feel I need an ax for most of what I do on a day hike or overnighter.
I can process all the wood I'll need with a folding saw and the skrama.
Leatherman for fine tasks, cleaning fish and gear repairs.

I carry a penknife, feel undressed without one.
Then its a SAK Huntsman, or a large pocket folder. Depends what I'm doig that day, shoes or boots.
More than that a Leatherman Chargr TTi.
One up is a sheath knife be it a Terava 110 or Survive Knives GSO. Hunting then sometimes something less bushcraft and more pointy. I have my pocket knife too, always have a backup.

More its specialised, and my reach for is a Skrama. often complimented with a Silky Saw.
Sometimes it has to be an axe GB SFA and maybe a full sized bow saw. Really depends on the hardness of the wood to be cut.

I mix and match depending on what I'm doing. Even typing I have a pocket knife handy to open the Rich Tea biscuits (an Opinel, or Sebenza, something at least).

Even more then thats a truck load of tools and a chainsaw. In fact I have a shed full of tools including ratchet loppers. Take the most efficient tools to get the job done; nothing worse than having not enough tool.

I was mentally answering the question and I was assuming a Silky saw--then I thought this is a long term proposition. Now how in the world would I sharpen that saw? Anyone have a good work around. I'm pretty sure Silky sells a file designed to sharpen their saws, but…

I've never worn one out and I use mine a good bit (several, in fact, from a Tomboy to Katanaboy), never needed to sharpen, and I can always order a new blade as long as I'm connected, but get out "there" somewhere what do you do?

Might be an argument for an axe instead of something smaller. I can definitely sharpen an axe. Any thoughts or suggestions? We're talking hypothetical here. I have no intentions of getting into that situation, but I guess it's not something you intend to do.

I usually have a triangle file with fine, medium, coarse about 10 inches long

A fixed bladed knife.

A saw or ax or maybe machete.

Usually I have a chest of tools in the work trucks with me so I can pick and choose what is most correct for the given job.

With a knife, and file I can manage most things.

I never plan on being where I can't reach a cache. If it happens then I"ll do what I can with what I know with what I find, scrounge or make.

Big faith in knowledge is more important than any gear. The whole it's the indian, not the bow thing.

And also I've noticed that the more I know the less I have to have, doesn't mean I won't take what ever suits, just that I know alternatives, lots of alternatives and have been there, done that, have the tee shirt for most things that might crop up and need me to improvise.

While I was in the Army, I depended on a SAK Farmer and either a Buck 112 Bucklite or a Randall 6" Model 1.

Today? I would go with:
1) Sheath knife. I still have the Randall, but I might go with something a little smaller such as a Buck 110 or KaBar Navy knife.
2) Pocket knife. Either a SAK Trekker or a Farmer.
3) Hatchet or Machete. For a machete I would go with my 16" Tremontina I made from an 18" cutlass. Hatchets. Either a little GB I have or an Estwing. It would depend on what area I was in. I am a little more partial to hatchets as they are more durable than machetes. If I had to stick to a knife then maybe a Tracker or one of the bigger Beckers.

If you look at my list, its stuff that I have carried for many years. I know the brands, I know the quality, I know what to expect, I know how they feel in my hands. I've tried other stuff, but this is my go to list.

I misread the question somewhat. Its the crash land question.
Leatherman, Skrama and Silky saw.

Leatherman for the blades and tools; fix the radio, cut some wire, plus a knife, file, and pliers.
Shrama for cutting poles and thatch stuff to make a shelter.
Silky saw for cutting some substantial wood to build something.

All weighing in at a package that I can cary fast and far. About the weight of a useful axe. All very efficient tools, so conserving energy.
They just need to keep me alive until civilisation finds me, or I can get to civilisation.

Three tools. Done. Because the internet snd the outdoor communities say its worthless movie prop junk. So I chose to better myself and not rely on superfluous tools. And took the hard path. As quoted above be an Indian not an arrow or something to that effect

I love the thought excercise this is turning into. @charlesmc2, my thoughts were knives only for the beginning of the thread. Useful, and maintainable. For the other list of mine, use the saw till I can't anymore. That's why I chose a full size double bit working axe. At some point, you'll run out of dead and down near enough to you. Shelter construction is good knowledge. But if Imma be stuck near the crash site forever, I want something better than a lean to. The axe is more sustainable as a tool.

These are great mental exercises. I think most of us associate our tools with our current location or our preconceptions of “survival locations”. I can fully understand this, but when you start specifying tools for “any location”, it really makes you think about more versatile tools…likely those that are more a jack-of-all-trades, vice function-specific. Hanging out here in Afghanistan, an axe or machete don’t seem very useful. Which would be more useful, a machete in a boreal forest, or an axe in a jungle or swamp? How would an axe or machete do in a desert or high desert environment? Much depends on the user vice the tool, but it does make you think about the tool selection and use outside the environment.

If I could narrow down the hemisphere, environment or season, I would likely choose either my Blind Horse Knives Machete, HD Kukri or Gransfors Bruks SFA:

If I knew the situation was going to be mobile and cranking out miles over the terrain, I would likely go to a lighter choice:

If my location is really unknown, I think I would go in a different direction. I like the versatility of my Habilis Bush Tool (plus, I can cheat because I’ve added a piggy-backed BRKT PSK!):

Second choice would be my Victorinox Spirit “kit” (now upgrade to the X-model with more traditional SAK blade-style):

And while not sexy, I would likely opt for the very versatile Cold Steel shovel as my third tool. Not knowing the environment, this tool can chop, clear lighter vegetation like a machete, dig if in rocky or sandy environment, etc.

I was mentally answering the question and I was assuming a Silky saw--then I thought this is a long term proposition. Now how in the world would I sharpen that saw? Anyone have a good work around. I'm pretty sure Silky sells a file designed to sharpen their saws, but…

I've never worn one out and I use mine a good bit (several, in fact, from a Tomboy to Katanaboy), never needed to sharpen, and I can always order a new blade as long as I'm connected, but get out "there" somewhere what do you do?

Might be an argument for an axe instead of something smaller. I can definitely sharpen an axe. Any thoughts or suggestions? We're talking hypothetical here. I have no intentions of getting into that situation, but I guess it's not something you intend to do.

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You can use a nail file to sharpen an axe. A pretty good demo of this you can watch here:
He starts sharpening his saw maybe half way through I think.

Three tools. Done. Because the internet snd the outdoor communities say its worthless movie prop junk. So I chose to better myself and not rely on superfluous tools. And took the hard path. As quoted above be an Indian not an arrow or something to that effect

If it is three sharp tools I already own I am in luck.
1. Silky katanaboy 500
2. Gransofrs hunters axe
3. Leatherman charge tti
If it's three new tools I might do it a little different, most especially if they are custom. i'd upgrade the tti (make all blades from better steel to match the s30v blade), and change the hunters axe for a large khukuri, something along the lines of the cheerokee by H.I. or a custom version of it, it has additional small tools for sharpening and other work so it has that going for it. Though, make it full tapered tang with ebony instead of horn or maybe a gem stone handle with a shock absorbing liner (micarta maybe?)

I would and do find the leatherman handy for hundreds of tasks along a crafting basis and if I am in a place I can't escape crafting things is going to be a lifestyle, It can also sharpen the khukuri or axe of course. The silky, Would eventually go blunt but it's going to take a long damn time before that happens. By that time I hope I would have figure out how to make a decently super high grit polishing compound to strop it for the following decade lol.

As this is "have crashed plane", then first is what you have on your pants. Thrown from the cockpit with broken leg then its how to fix yourself up with things at arms reach.
If in one piece its either stay put so improve shelter, make signal fire, and find water and possibly food if no snack bars on the plane. Or Walk out if you know what direction to go to hit a main communications route like a highway. Then its travel light, and leave regular pointers of direction for search parties/easy tracking.

I'm no fan of one tool option as if you lose it you have nothing. Three items you have something. 2.5lbs is about it weight wise.

I do like the Cold Steel Special Forces Spade for throwing and as a truck tool. I don't like them too sharp as I don't want to cut my boot. Blunt they smash the job done anyhow. There is a Russian guy on ebay that does a titanium one. Its half/third the weight and as good (I have one with the Cold Steel handle and it fits the Cold Steel cover which are superior quality)
Top: Cold Steel
Bottom: Titanium.

The third time I read the question and its crashed plane and never getting home. So the tools required is build civilisation.
Full sized felling axe.
Full sized saw, with teeth that can be sharpened.
Then full sized belt sheath knife with at least a sixin ch blade like a Survive Knives GSO.

I doubt three tools can make civilisation by one person. More likely just to starve to death first winter without supplies. Takes the manpower of a village with additional supplies to survive. Think of a Trading post that has supplies from civilisation to get the additional things to survive. Basics exchanged for high end goods like furs. Pioneers took an ox train of goods and people to start up something, and many failed unless lucky that first year of turning dirt into something productive.
The first European Colonists only survived by the help of the locals, and struggled if no resupply ships arrived.

Individuals don't do well without the back up of civilisation. Civilisation provides the tools, guns and ammunition. Salt, flour, fabrics, seed, domestic animals, and medical supplies. Takes years of knowledge passed down and combined effort of a group to make a sustainable existence.

Water food, heat and shelter, and a big pile of all of it. Nt enough hours in te day for one person to do it from scratch without a lot of support tools and supplies wise,
Trappers of old took several years of work to get a base camp that was well enough supplied to do a full winter. Get it wrong and they starved to death for lack of enough basics.
Probably have more luck in the tropics where there is more food stuffs and things that are edible. The sea usually has something that can be caught but no always.

Massive subject here. Local knowledge would help, as the locals know what can and can't be done..

Seems to me that there's a choice that must be made: are you going to move, or are you going to stay put?
The 3 cutting tools you choose are based on your choice.
Saying "I'd choose these 3 if I was going to be moving, but these 3 if I was going to stay and build" is hedging your bet, and I don't think you'll have that luxury should this event actually occur.
We're talking plane crash, so not only is it doubtful that you'd be carrying a large saw, it's also not too likely that you'll have your 4lb double bit, large Kukri, or even a machete.
I'm going to assume it's a private plane, not commercial, otherwise I'm pretty much screwed for sharps.
So that being said, and trying to keep my choices as "real world, reality based" as possible, I'm going to assume that I'm either flying my own plane, alone, (yeah, in this fantasy not only do I know how to fly a plane, I actually own one. It's a super cool one, too.) or I'm the sole surviver of the crash.
I'm also going to assume that I was heading somewhere remote, making it more plausible that I'd be carrying camping-type gear.
Based on the above, my revised list:
1. Carothers HDFK (the big knife option)
2. My pack axe, a 1.25lb HB on a 24" haft. A bigger axe would be better, and a Pulaski would be awesome, but why on earth would I be flying around with it?
Just saying.
3. I'll stick with the Boreal Canyon 21" saw. It's packable, so I think it's reasonable that I'd be carrying it. A Silky Big Boy would be a close second.
Based on the above, I'd give myself a fighting chance regardless of whether I was going to be moving or staying put.
I do enjoy these mental exercises, but they always remind me of the cold hard fact that in real survival situations (a plane crash being a perfect example) I'd be incredibly lucky to still have a Sak in my pocket. And depending on the location of the crash, one sharp I may want is a Gamakatsu 4/0 hook!
Good stuff here, really enjoy reading through everyone's responses.